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Isle
of Inch Kenneth
Inch Kenneth is situated at the mouth of Loch Na Keal close
to the Mull shore on it’s south side. It’s geological composition is different
from Mull and the 130 acres are extremely fertile.
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Its name is said to derive from St Cannoch, a contemporary
of St Columba, and on the island there are ruins of a 13th century
church with its double lancet window on the east wall. The base of the alter can
be seen along with funeral monuments and carved stones dating from mediaeval
times. Most stones commemorate MacLeans but it is said that Kings of Scotland
were buried here if storms prevented passage to Iona. The stones are carved with
various intricate carvings of animals, plant scrolls, ring knots, galleys and
swords, and are from the period 14th, 15th and 16th
century. |
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Beside the church within the graveyard grounds is a
sandstone slab bearing a full length effigy of an armed man in high relief, his
head rests on a cushion and his feet against a lion or hound. In his right hand
he holds a round object, perhaps a cannonball, on his left arm a targe bearing a
raised shield on which a coat of arms was once carved or painted. Suspended from
the waist belt is a sword resembling that of a 16th century claymore,
while at his right hip is a dirk.
In the graveyard a ring-headed cross of slate designed as a
Latin Cross, the shaft is bordered on each side by a chevron pattern. Towards
the base of the shaft, there is a pair of shears and a single-sided comb. It
possibly dates from 1500-1560.
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Also a headstone commemorating Dame Mary MacPherson, Lady
MacLean, who died aged 30. On the front is carved a heraldic achievement with a
shield charged for MacPherson, a galley, sail furled, a sinister hand holding a
dagger. The supporters are two men wearing plumed helmets and carrying targes.
On the back of the slab is carved the armorial achievement of the MacLeans of
Duart, the shield bearing quarterly, a lion rampant, a castle embattled, a
galley and a salmon, a dexter hand cupped holding a cross. The supporters are
two ostriches, and a skull and cross bones are incised at the base. |
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Also another large headstone commemorating Donald MacLean
(3rd) of Brolas who died in 1725. On the front of the stone an
achievement similar to that on the tombstone of Lady MacLean, with the motto
“ATERA MERCES” (another reward). On the reverse are carved in relief a skull, an
hour-glass, and a trump from which proceed the words “ARISE YE DEAD”. |
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| Just before World War II, Lord Redesdale bought Inch
Kenneth. The Redesdales were a brilliant family of six daughters and one son.
Diana Mitford married the infamous Oswald Mosley (British Union of Fascists) and
visited the island often but Mosley always stayed on the Mull shore. |
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Unity, the fourth daughter, was besotted by Hitler and on
the declaration of war, was so devastated she shot herself in the head. The
bullet lodge in her brain but did not kill her. Hitler rang often to ask how she
was and eventually arranged for her return to England. She had a personality
change from brain damage and lived on the island until meningitis brought on by
the wound ended her life in Oban Hospital in 1948.
Another daughter, Jessica who is a communist, became a fine
writer and recorded their strange childhood in a book called “Hons and Rebels”.
She states that most of the windows in their various homes were decorated with a
swasticka, etched on the glass by one of the daughters, and above each swastika
there was a hammer and sickle etched by herself.
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OS grid reference Explorer Series: 438 356
BIRDLIFE – Barnacle Geese on rocks east of Inch Kenneth in
winter.
All year – shag, eider, R B Merganser, Oystercatcher,
curlew, redshank.
Winter – Great Northern diver, Slavanian Grebe, wigeon,
mallard, goldeneye, razorbill and black guillemot.
MAP OS EXPLORER 375 EAST MULL
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Last amended19/12/2006 |
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